Proposed city budget discussed at special meeting

By Trisha Maldonado
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 1:47 PM MDT


The upcoming Fiscal Year 2012/13 City of Douglas operating budget was the main topic of June 5 special city council meeting held at City Hall which lasted well over three hours.


Key points and Budget Philosophy were: there would be no layoffs or furloughs, focusing on “What We Do and Do It Well”. The state shared revenue net increase was $439,771. Proposed two percent Cost-of-living Adjustment (C.O.L.A), beginning January 1. Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) revenues were increased by $72,086, transfer to the city’s HURF is $176,018, a decrease from last year of $63,982; Operations and Management (O&M) expenditures, increased by $217,000 due mainly to increases in contractual services across most departments. Public safety retirement fund for all police, fire and civilian departments, was increased by $213,841.

The current reserved cash position as of May 25, 2012 is $3,082,536. Expected revenue for general fund is $14,933,555 total expenditures $15,133,968 a difference of $200,413 which is expected to come out of the reserve budget.

An estimated $600, 000 was allocated for the new Mayor and Council to use for Capital projects. This would come out of the reserve funds. These funds would only be used on capital purchases such as renovation of buildings, vehicles and anything with a life span of a year or longer.

Alternative saving options the finance committee presented to Mayor and Council were to close Douglas Recreation Center except for seasonal camps as well as the Senior Fitness Center. All recreation programs would be moved on the road as a result of the possible closure. The committee also proposed to find lease opportunities for recreation rooms year-round which would save the city $12,000. Also to close restaurant at Golf Course but to keep the bar open and hall for special events which could result in a proposed savings of $22,000.

Other items on the agenda where approved with votes of 6-0, extension for tax auditor Albert Holler and associates and renewal of contract for auditing services between the City of Douglas and Clifton Larson Allen LLP.

Also approved was the City of Douglas to accept grant funding and to enter an agreement with the State of Arizona Department of homeland Security in the amount of $32,800, these funds are allocated for equipment and fall under the Stonegarden Grant Program.

Adopting a tentative budget as recommended by the finance committee which will include health insurance will be discussed at a special meeting Thursday at 4 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The final FY 2012/2013 budget will approved at a July meeting.

The meeting is opened to the public.

 

Comments

    concerned citizen wrote on Jul 18, 2012 11:51 AM:

    " We now have a Manager and an Assistant Manager who have no degrees in business. Between the two it will cost more than a quarter of a million dollars.The next thing to expect is an increase in property tax to fix our street and be able to support the continued administration payrolls "

    The Bold Taxman wrote on Jul 6, 2012 3:42 PM:

    " to "Douglas Citizen".
    regarding taxing the rich, I'll let you in on a secret Mr. Citizen, there is no means by which "the rich" can be taxes without ultimately taxing the "the poor" far more heavily. And one tax tends to increase all other taxes, instead of lessening them, because tax expenditure goes into things which require upkeep and "yield no returns" (public buildings and political jobs). As an example Cochise College just voted to increase property taxes not on the rich but on the citizen property owners. How do you like those "Public Trustees" and how will you benefit? "

    Citizen wrote on Jun 30, 2012 10:05 PM:

    " This situation has nothing to do with the City Clerk. Congratulations for the raise she got. My question is, How can a Mayor and Councilman vote yes when they have not worked with her? The years budget was balanced, then council throws a screwball to it. Congrats to ward 1 and 2 for voting no! Why they voted no let me tell you, because it's simple math! Budget is balanced and there's no room to add more to it especially a $15000.00 raise, coming from where? Who knows! "

    positive wrote on Jun 28, 2012 12:15 AM:

    " Why does eveyone sound so envious, due to this matter rather than worried about our city budget? I think most of these people did some pretty intense research to attack one person on their raise. It is so sad to have such negative, bitter, and jealous people within our "circle" of City employees. I believe that our city clerk has done a magnificent job thoughout all these years of hard work and deserves the raise she recieved. Our new mayor is going to do an excellent job and so will our new city manager. Gosh people how about a little bit of positve thinking instead of being so envious. :) "

    Douglas citizen wrote on Jun 26, 2012 11:49 AM:

    " What is the problem, like I said before raise taxes on the rich and on businesses and there will be enough money for admin and the pobre workers to get big raises. "

    Another City Employee wrote on Jun 26, 2012 10:09 AM:

    " All I can say is Miss Aguilar does work hard and does have alot of responsibilty. However,there are alot of us that work even harder and will only get a two percent raise in January, maybe. But does this really surprise anyone? It is what it is. City Hall takes care of City Hall.They always have and always will. Atleast we have 6 months to think of how we will spend our 2 percent raise in January. "

    Not Fair to employees who were brain washed wrote on Jun 25, 2012 12:53 PM:

    " My question is "were the talked about savings from the cuts to the budget to help save the city money or give admin a raise in salary?" and now other depts have to suffer while certain individuals are blessed with benefits. "

    Bewildered wrote on Jun 22, 2012 10:20 PM:

    " Why was Brenda Aguilar rewarded. Border Cities comparison, Nogales Clerk $42,332.00, Population 20,800. Brenda is paid $28,000 more. San Luis Clerk $50,000 population 44,000 thousand,Brenda $21,000. more. Douglas CLERK now $71,000., population 17,000 thousand. Dduglas has the least population,but pays the most. Why? The Mayor and Council should have voted No, why didn't they? We must raise the city workers salary. Are you aware if Brenda goes to work only two hours she must be paid for the full day? Ask Councilman Quinonez,why the Clerk? You the city workers deserve the pay increase of 3% which LaForge promised to give you, hold him accountable. "

    another Taxpayer wrote on Jun 22, 2012 8:24 PM:

    " Question--Where does the increase for the City Clerk come from? Because all other city employees have to wait for a 3% increase under 2013. Yes no lay offs and no furlows. Come Councilmemnbers who voted for this increase shame on you. Guess all other city employees are nothing, they just work, work and cross training, and even do coverage for other employees at the same rate of pay. So what happen Mayor Ortega,it's your city employees that really work, protect your town, respond to fire calls, pave the streets in the heat,and WHAT SLAP TO FACE. Sorry guys ...... "

    verdad wrote on Jun 21, 2012 9:52 PM:

    " What is wrong with our Mayor & CounciL?
    They are ludicrous,raising Brenda Agiular pay 15,000 to 71,000 when our economy is questionable,how easy to spend our money, I would recomend Quinonez and the other 4 yes votes contribute to Ms. Agiular petty cash. What happened to the 3% increase for the city workers,which was promised? City workes rise up, take a stand, you deserve the pay increase NOT THE ADMINTRATION. "

    city employees wrote on Jun 21, 2012 6:06 PM:

    " We don't say it is brendas fault if she got it she got it. It is sad that they have been telling us to wait there is no money for a raise. To be greatful there is no furlows or job cuts. We understood and now to see this it is sad our moral goes to the ground with this kinda of thing the city does. But there is nothing we can do but to take it in the rear. "

    Not in Douglas..... wrote on Jun 20, 2012 2:15 PM:

    " Let's not forget a $15,000 pay raise to Brenda Aguilar! Who in their right mind, would approve a 30% pay increase? Guess now, we have a clear picture as to the inexperience with the new council memebers and mayor. Thumbs up for both Morales and Linderman. Guess the the puppet master and his puppets could not wait for mayor Gomez to vacate his seat! If I recall, a vast majority of the work involved in the previous election was conducted by the county. There was no leg work or anything. It's a shame and a slap to the faces of it's own city employees! You have personal with other than a "AA" degree. Where is their 30% pay increase? And now, she won't even answer or return calls. What happened to customer service? I guess it's who you know and type of friendship. "

    Douglas citizen wrote on Jun 20, 2012 1:17 PM:

    " I think Douglas should raise the taxes on busineses and rich people so they can buy more trailer houses and other things to give to the poor. The city owes it to us. "

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